TIME Yourself

Help us to drown-proof a generation of kids: Donate to our YMCA Okanagan Swims Program, here, scrolling down to "Direct my gift to the following" after clicking on the Donate Now" button.

Our Famous Towel

You'll get a complementary, limited edition, super-plush award winning towels at the end of our swim!

KEEP KIDS SAFE

All proceeds go towards funding the YMCA Okanagan Swims Program where we have sent over 3000 Grade 3 & 4 kids each year--for FREE!--swim lessons.

Bragging rights

You'll be the first swimmers this year to take part in competitive Okanagan early spring swim distance event.

Event Details

START TIMES

The H2O Centre doors open at 5:45AM, and pool opens at 6:00. Orientation will be sent to all registered participants in the days before the event, some of which will be posted on deck . The 700m swim begins promptly at 6:15 (so don't doddle!) with a rolling start with swimmers leaving every 15 seconds. 2100m swimmers will follow by 6:30AM. Although you will not be formally seeded, we encourage you to self-seed (find someone who is faster than you and stand behind them!).

THESE ARE TRAINING SWIMS

The primary purposes of this event are to 1) get you comfortable swimming under lane ropes while doing a 700 meter "snake swim" in preparation for the Cherry Blossom Triathlon, 2) give you swimming experience with lots of other participants, and 3) help you assess your readiness to do a longer endurance swim, like the Interior Savings Across the Lake Swim Kelowna.

TIMING YOUR SWIM

Although we will keep track of your swim time, you are encouraged to time your own event using your own sport watch. Your time for either 700m or 2100m will be important when registering for the Cherry Blossom Triathlon or the Across The Lake Swim, both of which will seed you according to your swim time.

KNOW YOUR PASSING ETIQUETTE

Since participants will all be swimming at different speeds, passing will be inevitable. If your feet get touched by a swimmer behind you, stop at the wall to let the swimmer by. You may overtake a swimmer in mid lane only when swimming away from the shallow end and when there are no swimmers approaching you head on. Aggressive swimming will not be tolerated.

SAFETY FIRST!

Although there will be lifeguards on deck, we also need you to do your part. Should you come across a participant in any kind of distress, wave for a lifeguard, and help the swimmer either hang on to a lane rope or assist them to the edge of the pool. Your swim time is never more important than someone else's safety and wellbeing.

POOL SET UP

The 50 meter pool will be set up exactly as the Cherry Blossom Triathlon, with 7 lanes of out-and-back swimming, and the 8th lane for warm up. Swimmers who signed up for the 2100 meter swim will exit the pool, and walk over either the bulkhead or a carpet to the start and re-enter the water at lane 7.--twice.

ALL DONE BY 8:00am

Our event is booked for 2 hours, from 6:00am to 8:00am, when the Masters Swim Club and public swim begin. All of our participants must be out of the water by 8:00am.

THIS SWIM IS ALSO A CHARITABLE EVENT

For the last decade, and in partnership with the YMCA Okanagan, the annual Across the Lake Swim events have been raising funds to provide swim lessons to every Grade 3 and Grade 4 child in School District #23. Thank you for supporting our cause!

CAP ON PARTICIPATION

From 6:30am to 6:45am, 700m swimmers will be started every 10-15 seconds, for a total of 60-90 swimmers. Starting at 6:45am, 2100m swimmers will be started every 15 seconds until 700am. They will have 60-75 minutes to complete the swim. Everyone must clear the pool by 8:00am.

ENJOY YOUR SWIM!

Be sure to pick up a complementary custom-designed beach towel at the end of your swim!